from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Ludicrous \Lu"di*crous\, a. [L. ludicrus, or ludicer, from ludus
play, sport, fr. ludere to play.]
1. Adapted to excite laughter, without scorn or contempt;
sportive. --Broome.
[1913 Webster]
A chapter upon German rhetoric would be in the same
ludicrous predicament as Van Troil's chapter on the
snakes of Iceland, which delivers its business in
one summary sentence, announcing, that snakes in
Iceland -- there are none. --De Quincey.
2. Ridiculously absurd.
[PJC]
Syn: Laughable; sportive; burlesque; comic; droll;
ridiculous.
Usage: {Ludicrous}, {Laughable}, {Ridiculous}. We speak of a
thing as ludicrous when it tends to produce laughter;
as laughable when the impression is somewhat stronger;
as ridiculous when more or less contempt is mingled
with the merriment created. -- {Lu"di*crous*ly}, adv.
-- {Lu"di*crous*ness}, n.
[1913 Webster]